From the novel: The Hunter
---
It was a sunny day inside the great empire's capital. A huge crowd had gathered near the city hall. The people were restless, and many looked worried. Most were nobles, rich citizens, and high-ranking officials. Around them stood hundreds of soldiers, fully armed.
At the center of the square stood a boy, no older than fifteen. His hands and legs were tightly chained. His feet were bare and wounded. He couldn't run even if he tried. But the boy remained silent. He had a strange, calm smile on his face.
The commander of the empire's army sat proudly on his horse, holding a shining silver sword. He moved forward and shouted so all the people could hear.
> "This boy! This devil! He killed the king's only son—Princess Brond! He slaughtered ten thousand of our soldiers! Five thousand are dead, three thousand are badly wounded, and two thousand are insane—useless forever! All of this... because of this one boy! This monster deserves no mercy!"
The people screamed in anger, "Kill him! Kill the devil! Kill him now!"
The commander nodded. "Today, we will cut off his head and end this nightmare. This will be the end of all creatures like him!"
A soldier stepped forward, raised his sword, and looked the boy in the eyes.
> "Any last words?" he asked.
The boy looked at the crowd. His voice was calm and cold.
> "I will hunt all of you. Everyone who thinks their life is more valuable than others. Everyone who laughs while the weak cry. I will hunt you all."
The soldier gave no reply. He swung the sword and cut the boy's head clean from his body. Blood spilled everywhere. The people cheered.
But then... something terrible happened.
The soldiers came forward to unchain the body and burn it. But the boy's fingers moved. His legs shook. And slowly… the boy stood up.
He walked toward his severed head, picked it up with his bloody hands, and calmly placed it back on his neck.
Everyone screamed in horror. Even the commander stepped back, his sword shaking in fear.
> "W-what is this?!" he yelled. "What kind of monster are you?!"
The boy looked at him, blood dripping from his mouth, and said in a dark voice:
> "I am the Hunter."
Then everything went silent.
---
200 Years Ago...
The world was once filled with small kingdoms. People lived happily. There was magic—different kinds of it. Some used it to heal, some for protection, and others to grow strong. There were brave fighters and kind scholars. Everyone had a purpose.
But then… came a man named Hulky the First.
He wasn't like other kings. He used dark, forbidden magic called Heowan Sacrifice—a deadly spell that gave power by taking innocent lives.
He became powerful and built a huge empire by conquering land after land. But power was not enough for him. He wanted to live forever.
He died trying.
But his children continued his rule and became even more evil than him. They destroyed villages for fun. They killed thousands just to show their strength. In their world, only the rich and powerful deserved to live. The poor were worthless.
---
Far Away...
In a distant warrior village, there lived a man named Hercules—one of the greatest fighters the world had ever seen. He had hunted legendary beasts and fought in many wars. But now, he lived peacefully with his wife Sorea, a healer who used magic to cure the sick.
That day, while training in the village hall, a young girl rushed to him and shouted, "Master Hercules! Your son is born!"
Hercules smiled with joy and ran to his house. He opened the door and saw Sorea holding a sleeping baby.
> "Where is he?" he asked with excitement.
> "Sleeping," she replied. "You're being too loud."
> "Sorry!" Hercules said, smiling like a child. "Wow… I have a strong son now."
> "He's not just strong," Sorea said. "He will be wise."
They named him Sirab, after an ancient king who once ruled the world.
> "He will become a great warrior," Hercules said proudly.
> "No," said Sorea. "He will be a healer, a symbol of peace."
> "He is our son," they both said together. "Our love. Our future."
---
Seven Years Later...
Sirab was a strong, brave boy. One day, while playing with his friend, the friend said, "They've caught a huge wolf in the animal cage! Let's go see!"
Sirab hesitated. "No. My father said that's dangerous."
> "Wow! Sirab is scared!" the friend teased.
Sirab's pride was hurt. "I'm not scared! Let's go!"
They went to the cage and saw the huge beast. The wolf looked wild and powerful.
Sirab said, "We saw it. Let's go now."
But his friend stepped closer. Suddenly, he slipped and fell into the cage. The door opened—and the wolf escaped!
The beast rushed at them. Sirab shouted to his friend, "Run to the village! Call for help!"
But Sirab stayed. The wolf grabbed him in its jaws. The boy reached to the ground and found a small broken sword. With all his strength, he stabbed the sword into the wolf's eye.
The wolf screamed in pain, giving Sirab a moment to escape. He had the chance to kill it. But his hands were shaking. He couldn't move. He couldn't finish it.
Then… his father arrived.
With one strike, Hercules cut the wolf in half.
Sirab collapsed in tears.
> "Dad…" he whispered.
> "You had the chance to kill it," Hercules said. "Why didn't you?"
Sirab looked down, unable to answer.
---
✅ [To be continued in Chapter 2: The Test of the Lion]